Earlier today, we reported that Stardock is planning to release a free app for the Windows 8 Consumer Preview that would allow desktop users to launch a more traditional Windows Start menu. The app is scheduled to be released later this week. But if you absolutely, positively cannot wait for the app to be released, there is perhaps a way to create an approximation of the Start menu with no need for a third party app.
The method is described by Computerworld.com and it's actually pretty simple. In the desktop version of Windows 8, you launch Windows Explorer and then click the View tab on the toolbar. After that you then check off the "Hidden items" box which should reveal a number of hidden files and folders.
After that is done, you right click the taskbar and select Toolbars. You then select the New Toolbar menu item which brings up a new screen. Then you select Program Data, then Microsoft, then Windows and finally Start Menu. That last action will create a Start Menu toolbar which should appear on the far right of the taskbar. You can move the menu if you want by right clicking the taskbar and then unchecking the Lock the Taskbar selection. The final result should look like the screenshot above this post.
Image via Computerworld
95 Comments - Add comment